Calhoun’s - Fried Chicken Strips

Calhouns Restuarant

Calhoun's restaurant of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the heart of the Parkway is an excellent choice for dinner. They claim to have the best ribs in America. It's hard to argue with that. When we arrived, there was a small crowd waiting outside. We received our pager and were called in about 15 minutes. The waitress seated us at a very nice table.

Fantastic Fried Cheese

Our waitress promptly came to our table and took our drink order. When she returned, she took our dinner orders. I went with the fried cheese sticks and marinara sauce. As you can see, the portion was very generous, 8 pieces. As cheese sticks go, these were very good. The cheese hot and melted, the breading crisp and spicy. The sauce hot and spicy.

Calhouns Chicken Strips

The main course, fried chicken tenders platter. The platter came with 6 large pieces of breaded and battered chicken, a loaded baked potato with butter, cheese, and bacon, and warm fresh rolls. A side of cole slaw completed the platter.

The chicken was excellent. Golden brown, tender, juicy, and breaded perfectly. The baked potato was hot, plenty of butter, cheese, and bacon. I left the cole slaw alone.

The service was tip top even with it being busy. The cost was $20 dollars with drink plus tip.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4.25 out of 5 shots and recommends Calhoun's of Gatlinburg for dinner.

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1. 
   

   Gumby said

   August 10, 2009 at 9:17 am e
   Calhouns has gotten good reviews from you, you have several already in, if I am ever in Gatlinburg, I will surely stop and partake.
   Reply
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     LOTGK said

     August 10, 2009 at 7:01 pm e
     It will be worth it. Calhoun’s is inexpensive, good service, and good food.
     Reply
2. 
   

   MikeWJ At Too Many Mornings said

   August 11, 2009 at 2:54 am e
   Sounds good, but I have to ask: How much did Calhoun’s pay you for this review? Also, can you cut me in on this deal? I’d do it for a free dinner…..
   Reply
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     LOTGK said

     August 11, 2009 at 8:34 am e
     The nerve of Calhoun’s, they actually charged me for the dinner. However, every now and again at restaurants, waiters and waitresses sometimes ask why I’m snapping pictures of my dinner. Sometimes I tell them I’m the health inspector but usually I tell them about my blog.
     Reply
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     Max Jackl said

     August 11, 2009 at 9:02 am e
     MikeW has something here. You should publish your restaurant critiques. Maybe then you could eat for free.
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       LOTGK said

       August 11, 2009 at 12:06 pm e
       Sadly, I do. Right here on my blog. I’m not in it for the money, perhaps maybe the glory, but like when i go to haunted houses, I don’t want to get in free, it may taint my critique.
       Reply
3. 
   

   New Harvey said

   August 11, 2009 at 2:23 pm e
   They are known for their ribs and you order the chicken. WTF!
   Reply
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     LOTGK said

     August 11, 2009 at 8:38 pm e
     Alas, if you would have surfed a little bit on the blog you would have seen that I already critiqued Calhoun’s ribs. Here is the link to it.
     Calhoun’s Ribs Critique
     Reply
4. 
   

   Bitzky said

   August 16, 2009 at 3:24 pm e
   Maaaaan, this is one of the (few) things that makes me want Tennessee to be closer to Sweden *drooooooools*
   Reply
5. 
   

Calhoun’s - BBQ Ribs And Fries

I Did What The Sign Said To

Calhoun's of Gatlinburg is famously known for its BBQ ribs. Naturally, I had to order them. It was November, during the Smoky Mountain Gift Show, so the city was crowded, and Calhoun's had about a 30 minute waiting list. We mulled around outside until our name was called.

We were seated and a minute later our waiter came to our table and took our drink order and appetizer order. I went with a diet coke. A few minutes later, he took our main dinner order. Or course, I went with the famous BBQ spare ribs with a side of french fries.

The service was incredible for a busy evening, my coke was refilled, and my ribs were delivered to my table in under 10 minutes.

Calhouns Fall Off The Bone Ribs

As you can see, the ribs were plentiful, and this was the half order. The BBQ sauce was just spicy enough and the ribs, well, they were hot, tender, and juicy. The meat almost fell off the bone. The fries were good as well, but pretty much forgotten due to the taste of the ribs. And yes, the waiter brought plenty of napkins as they were needed.

The cost was $13 dollars for the half slab without tip. The price included fresh bread and rolls and one side which for me was the french fries. All in all, a good experience.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Calhoun's of Gatlinburg for dinner.

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1. 
   

   Longfellow said

   April 6, 2009 at 8:30 am e
   I have eaten there and agree, the ribs and service were darn good. I was there in the summer though, not when it was busy.
   Reply
2. 
   

   Gumby said

   April 7, 2009 at 12:52 pm e
   I love ribs. The hotter the better sauce.
   Reply
3. 
   

   Bitzky said

   April 7, 2009 at 7:24 pm e
   Oh dear , you just gave me the biggest cravings for ribs! They really look delicious.
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     LOTGK said

     April 8, 2009 at 8:59 am e
     I wasn’t surprised, they looked and smelled delicious.
     Reply
4. 
   

   Wraak said

   April 8, 2009 at 5:30 pm e
   those french fries look marvellous too. me wants.
   Reply

Ober Gatlinburg Sidewalk Cafe - Cheese Pizza

Ober Gatlinburg Pizza

Gatlinburg has an amusement park at the top of the Smoky Mountains called Ober Gatlinburg. Plenty of excitement with the Ober Slide, Chair lift, Cyclone water slide, and assorted other water slides and attractions.

There is an inside ice skating rink with plenty of shops and vendors. We stopped at the Pizza station. We ordered a large pizza with pepperoni on half. The clerk said it would be about 20 minutes.

In about 20 minutes, our order number was called and I went to pick up the pizza. Of course it was hot, it just came out of the oven. But the cheese wasn't completed melted. And the crust, well, it had a hint of cardboard flavor. The rest of the pizza was OK at best. I do believe it was a frozen pizza merely heated up.

The cost was $12 dollars without drinks, both diet cokes. Ober Gatlinburg is a fun place to be at, but the food choices on top of the mountain at not so good.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2.5 out of 5 shots and barely recommends Ober Gatlinburg Pizza for dinner.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

1. 
   

   Y-Citizen said

   February 8, 2009 at 7:12 pm e
   That pizza looks fake. Like from a tv commercial.
   Reply
2. 
   

   LOTGK said

   February 8, 2009 at 10:27 pm e
   It wasn’t fake, but had very little taste. It was edible though, and easy access so I gave it a passing grade.
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3. 
   

   Green Hood said

   February 9, 2009 at 10:08 am e
   I think I would have passed. Dont they have a hamburger shop up there.
   Reply
4. 
   

   Gumby said

   February 9, 2009 at 11:55 am e
   Pass. I think you created a new flavor. Cardboard flavored pizza.
   Reply
5. 
   

   Keith McFarland said

   February 10, 2009 at 11:44 am e
   May be you should try some of these food samples: http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/
   It would be nice to see your reviews.
   Reply
6. 
   

   LOTGK said

   February 10, 2009 at 12:23 pm e
   OMG, I just had a heart attack looking at that food.
   Reply
7. 
   

   Bitzky said

   February 15, 2009 at 8:09 pm e
   20 mins and 12 dollars? No way!
   Btw, you won’t believe me but I believe that the country with best pizzas is… Sweden! I’ve tried pizza in most of European countries, as well as in U.S. and Canada and it just can’t be compared. Come over and find out! 
   Reply
8. 
   

   LOTGK said

   February 16, 2009 at 12:19 pm e
   in fact, Patty and I are preplanning a trip to Ireland next year.
   Reply
9. 
   

   Bitzky said

   February 16, 2009 at 6:11 pm e
   Oh oh oh! Who knows, I just might be in Ireland at the time. Poke me when you find out the dates 
   Reply
10. 
    

    LOTGK said

    February 16, 2009 at 11:17 pm e
    You betcha I will. We’re hoping for September of 2010. Going to see my family there for a few days and then the rest will be sightseeing.
    Reply

Calhoun's - Cheeseburger And Fries

Calhouns Of Gatlinburg

Calhoun's on the Parkway located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is well known for it's excellent tasting ribs. I know from personal experience but tonight, I was looking for something else on the menu.

Warm Rolls

Our waiter brought out some hot delicious rolls with warm butter that were almost heavenly. He took our appetizer and dinner orders. Yes, its crazy, but I ordered the cheeseburger in a restaurant famous for it's BBQ ribs. But, I had already had the ribs and they will be critiqued in an upcoming post.

Enough To Clog Your Heart

Our appetizer was fried cheese sticks. Ten of them with a tangy tomato sauce. They were brought out in a timely manner and were hot and delicious. Calhoun's fried cheese sticks were some of the best that I ever tasted.

Calhouns Cheeseburger

Our dinner orders were delivered to our table right on time. The cheeseburger was hot, juicy, and delicious. I ordered it well done and it was perfect. The bun was toasted just right and had plenty of cheese. The fries were cooked to a golden brown, and were crunchy, and just right.

The cost was just under $20 bucks without tip which is pretty fair considering the quality and quantity of food served.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 4 out of 5 shots and recommends Calhoun's of Gatlinburg for dinner.

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LURKING ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

1. 
   

   Craig Of The Avenue said

   December 9, 2008 at 4:31 pm e
   You didn’t buy the ribs, at a rib place, famous for ribs, pretty ballsy.
   Reply
2. 
   

   Bitzky said

   December 11, 2008 at 12:08 pm e
   Why no ribs? And I must say that the rolls look really fresh.
   LOTGK Replies:
   I already ordered the ribs previously but have not yet added them to the site. I’m lazy. But I will get them up there for they were delicious.
   Reply

Maxwell’s Steak And Seafood – Stuffed Chicken And Baked Potato

Stuffed Chicken

Maxwell's restaurant located on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a great place to eat. Usually! As was the case, Maxwell's did not have a long waiting list for dinner so we opted in.

Dining at Maxwell's many times before, I knew what I wanted before the menu's came out. Alas, that wouldn't be the cause. Our waitress introduced herself and took our drink and dinner orders. She told us she was new here at Maxwell's and still learning the ropes. I ordered the grilled chicken with lemon and a baked potato.

About 15 minutes later, our dinners arrived. As you can see, this was not what I ordered. It was stuffed chicken breast. At least the baked potato was correct. The stuffed chicken looked good enough and I didn't want to spoil our waitress's good spirits and first week of work so I accepted the dinner without telling her.

The stuffed chicken was well cooked, an adequate proportion, and tasted good. The stuffing was surprisingly good. Of course the baked potato was excellent. I love me some baked potatoes.

The cost was $17.00 without tip and was priced nicely.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 3 out of 5 shots and recommends Maxwell's of Gatlinburg for dinner. I was going to fail Maxwell's for getting the dinner selection wrong, but the waitress was new, she was nice, and the dinner was good.

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1. 
   

   Bob said

   December 3, 2008 at 4:26 pm e
   I would have sent it back right away. If the waitress cant get a simple order correct, then she doesn’t belong there.
   Reply
2. 
   

   Bitzky said

   December 5, 2008 at 11:33 am e
   Heh, my upbringing made me so that I don’t really care if orders get mixed up, unless they bring me something I absolutely can’t eat. I love your food posts. Keep them coming! 
   Reply
3. 
   

   Gumby said

   December 5, 2008 at 12:48 pm e
   You are nicer than me, I would have sent it back.
   Reply
4. 
   

Smoky’s Sports Bar – Cheeseburger - Fries - cheese

Smokys Sports Pub

It was Saturday night, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Joe wanted to see the rest of the Penn State game. We decided to pay Smoky's Sports Pub And Grill a visit. We walked in and there were plenty of TV sets with the football games on which was a good sign and the hostess came over and seated us right away. She asked what game we wanted to see and sat us accordingly.

Smokys Cheese Sticks

In a few minutes, our waiter appeared and took our drink order and appetizer order. I was feeling daring and ordered the cheese sticks. Ten minutes went by and no drinks but we got the cheese sticks. We placed our dinner orders and asked for our drinks.

I noticed that there were no napkins, no plates, no salt, no pepper, nothing on the table. After waiting a few minutes I went and flagged down our waiter. He looked startled! I said could we please get our drinks and perhaps a few napkins and plates. He said sure in just a few minutes. I went to the kitchen and got them myself.

The cheese sticks were OK, a little cold because we waited so long and two of them were empty. Just sticks, no cheese. Say that real fast.

Smokys Cheeseburger

My dinner order was a standard fare cheeseburger and steak fries. It came in a basket. There was no ketchup, mustard, well, you get the point. At least it was hot.

Actually, the cheeseburger tasted all right. It was well cooked, hot, fresh, (As fresh as frozen patties go) and the bun was toasted and not soggy. All in all, it was OK.

The steak fries however, choke, choke, they were terrible. A soggy mess of what once were potatoes in the bottom of the plastic basket. I choked down a few and performed the last rites on the rest of them.

The cost was 15 dollars for the empty sticks and burger, and a glass of water. A little steep for what you got.

Our drinks finally arrived halfway through dinner. The waiter said, hey, its one of those days man. Same right back at yea with your tip man.

Well, Joe was sad that Penn State lost and probably missed the chance for the BCS national championship game, but they would live to play another day. (Can't say the same for the fries though) And yes, I gave him only 15% for a tip.

The Grassy Knoll Diner scores 2.25 out of 5 shots and does not recommend Smoky's for dinner. Sidenote: if you find that all the other restaurants are packed, and sometimes in Gatlinburg on a Friday and Saturday night during certain events they are, then go to Smoky's just to get something to eat but expect bad service.

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1. 
   

   Soup Cop Jean said

   November 25, 2008 at 2:26 pm e
   I’ll take your word that it was good tasting. it doesn’t from the picture. So what the burger was just tossed on top of the fries. And I see a black plastic fork there.
   Reply
2. 
   

   Louise Wheeler said

   November 29, 2008 at 8:08 am e
   We ate at Smokey’s 2 times during our stay in Gatlinburg. We found the food pretty good. The portions were good, the food was served quickly and was served hot. The food is bar food, so we didn’t expect any thing exceptional but it was tasty and for the price and atmosphere (football), we will definintely return.
   Reply
3. 
   

   Gumby said

   December 5, 2008 at 12:51 pm e
   Should be renamed to Smokys Greasy Spoon.
   Reply
4. 
   

   Michele said

   March 28, 2009 at 4:51 pm e
   My visit to smokeys was not very good. The pizza was good, but the bar tender jessica kept thrusting her boobs in my husbands face. In front of my child. I was very upset. She even tried to sit on his lap. She was rude to me and did not refill my drink until my husband took my glass to the bar and asked her to get me another. I actually checked to see if she spit in it.
   I do not recommend this place until they get rid of her.
   Reply
5. 
   

   Craig Plaisance said

   July 10, 2009 at 4:16 pm e
   We just came back from smokeys, very angry.
   The service was very bad, the waitress and waiter were very rude. I ordered ceasar salad and soup, the plate of salad came full, but only on the top was fresh lettuce, at the bottom it was just very dry leaves (almost half of the plate), i have never seen something like that served in a restaurant, just like garbage. I told the waiter and he just took it back to the kitchen and left me there, they didn’t do anything. No sorry, nothing. Never go back there again. I don’t recommend people to eat there, food is crapy however the price is same as if you go to a very good restaurant. They even don’t give you napkin, they just put paper roll like bad paper towel.
   Reply
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     LOTGK said

     July 11, 2009 at 2:30 pm e
     Too bad you didn’t read my blog before visiting. It may have saved you a bad dinner experience.
     Reply
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